Devin Brendan Kelly

From the moment Devin was born, well, of course, we fell madly in love. We started learning from each other from the very beginning. Adorable, sweetness during his baby years, onto preschool at the Presbyterian Church. Shy, innocent, but first moments of venturing out on his own without Mommy and Daddy there...we had to start to let go. “Baby steps,” I would always say during each transition of childhood. Onto kindergarten and elementary school at Holy Cross, continuing to make childhood friends at Our Lady of Assumption School through his preteen years, where Devin continued to grow through the ages of great change.

He stayed active with Junior Life Guards and became a Junior Life Guards assistant, was a YMCA swim team member, an AYSO soccer player and a Gold Coast Water Polo member. He was a graduate of The Martine Cotillions, held at the Poinsettia Pavilion. He loved the Ventura County Fair, family gatherings at his Nana’s & PaPa’s and Aunt Vicki’s homes, video games, sleepovers, beach parties, pizzas, pillow fights, wrestling and raiding the refrigerator with boyhood friends - to Mom’s dismay. Next, onto Foothill Technology High School, (Go Dragons!), preparing for a university while participating in Young life and Young Life Camps. He was on the swim and water polo teams at Ventura High School (Go Cougars!). Devin played capture the flag and MORE video games with friends, cementing friendship and finding young love. Then off to Santa Clara University (Go Bronco’s!) - full of questions, not knowing what to expect. Parties, dorm life, first apartment, then, his senior year, sharing a home with six roomies (thrilled that five of them were fun, vibrant young women!) who all began the college journey together. Devin created a toasting tradition called the “HORN!!”His Ventura friends have since passed the “HORN” to his Santa Clara University roomies, and now all are bonded in laughter and friendship in keeping Devin’s spirit alive for many more future celebrations. Devin enjoyed hiking, camping, snowboarding, skateboarding, kung fu, jiu jitsu, ping pong, and was nicknamed, “The Natural”, at surf camp. He loved drawing, anime, movies, playing guitar & ukulele, reading fantasy and science fiction books. Devin loved his pets. He treasured his rambunctious dog Bella and his sweet cat Jasmine. A loyal listener of “From Indian Lakes” and other musical groups, he would passionately challenge anyone who differed. One of the most inspirational moments of Devin’s life was meeting and later interviewing Ray Bradbury at the impressionable age of 11, which developed into a friendship that ultimately inspired Devin to become a writer and poet.

Devin was a poet, a romanticist, a gentleman, explorer, philosopher, singer and a loyal friend to those who knew and loved him. His passionate debates, long hours of conversation, sharing of music, warm hugs, kisses and loving glances will forever warm our hearts.

He was excited to have traveled throughout Europe, this past summer, with six of his closest boyhood friends. Devin fell in love with all the history, culture and immense beauty. He was very happy to have spent time with our family in San Sebastian, Spain and Frankfurt, Germany, who embraced him lovingly into their homes.

Devin’s spirit lives on through his beautiful poetry. The translation of the Irish Gaelic name “Devin” means Poet. I often told him the world needed more Poets, and that’s why we named him Devin. His writings and songs are within the hearts of all those that he touched, including extensive family and cherished friends. Devin’s Dad was his greatest influence in the Fine Arts. He passionately and profoundly imparted his knowledge as he nurtured and adoringly shared his wisdom throughout Devin’s life, as only a true Renaissance man could.

In the quiet of the morning, as the sun began to rise, our precious, beautiful, fun loving, articulate young man, our son, quietly and peacefully slipped away into the loving arms of the Lord. We love you, Sweetheart, forever and ever, infinity squared. Lots of Hugs & Kisses, Mom & Dad.

Devin Kelly is survived by his Parents, Michael O’Kelly & Gisele Tryon-Kelly; Grandmother, Virginia Goena Tryon; Aunts, Phyllis Tryon, Aurora (Vicki) Tryon Fassino, & Denise Carey; Uncles, Barry Tryon & Danny Carey; Brother, David Kelly-Böhm, (Wife, Jördis & Nephews, Teno & Edvarz); and many cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family members, as well as all his close-knit friends of Ventura and SCU roomies & friends. Devin is preceded in death by Grandmother, Nancy Kelly; Grandfather, Alfred Tryon; Aunt, Jane Kelly; and Sister, Juliette Ascension Tryon-Kelly.

A Memorial Mass will be held Sat., April 8, 2017, 12:00 p.m. at San Buenaventura Mission, 211 E. Main St., Ventura, CA. 93001 (805)643-4318. After the mass, a reception will be held at the Saticoy Country Club, 4450 Clubhouse Dr., Somis, CA. 93006, from 2-5 p.m.

“The Devin Kelly Memorial Fund” has been established for a memorial scholarship and educational program. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: “Devin Kelly Memorial Fund” c/o Rabobank, 304 E. Main St., Ventura, CA. 93001.

Devin Kelly’s parents and the Tryon family wish to thank all family members, relatives, friends and the Santa Clara University community for their sympathy, love and caring support.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Condolences may be sent to TedMayrFuneralHome.com.

A River Bed Dream, By Devin Kelly

A vaporous whimper

Echoes the syllables of a half-remembered carnival evening.

Words so thin they could've never been,

Like gentle ghost whispers that haunt the dark,

They leave the air frostbitten.

Huddles of clouds drift like families leaving funerals,

None holding hands, just one behind the other,

The last, draped in a billowing black dress,

Looks over its shoulder

At the gravestone name it's already forgotten.

The trees feel their way into the sky

Black fingers stretched for a taste of moonlight,

But the moon doesn't shine tonight.

Only the streetlamp by an old tin hut burns

And I'm reminded of a name.

As the stars begin to crawl away

I feel your hand trickle down my palm like an illusion of water

my mirage, you're here, and I needn't wander any longer.

We saunter through the carnival evening,

Your face unclear, at once age-old smile, then stranger's stare

It wouldn't matter if this were a dream,

I could hold this hand for the rest of this insecure twilight,

Put up with delusions of youth and company,

An unending walk through unchanging wood,

And take no notice of how your eyes shift

from those sweet almonds to another's upturned blue.

Under my arm I'd guide you wisely,

Through the fantasy I drew,

In our bedtime clothes like we once knew.

But your hand slips out,

Like the fog that infringes above us two,

The trees spread their hands,

The moon says "he's come", as the man from the carnival

Steals your voice, the lyrics of your lips

Scattered like your curls, falling

Amidst the crumbling earth, tangled

With the light of a world where time is a ghoul

And I'm lost from you.